1.4 keywords

Question 1

human resource management

Answer 1

The process of hiring and developing employees so that they become more valuable to the organisation.

Question 2

hard HRM

Answer 2

Staff are treated as a resource that must be managed in order for the business to control costs and outputs.

Question 3

soft HRM

Answer 3

Staff are treated as an asset to the business that can contribute and help the business achieve its objectives.

Question 4

flexible workforce

Answer 4

Where a business uses a number of different working practices in order to suit the job in hand and the needs of the employees.

Question 5

multiskilling

Answer 5

The process of increasing the skills of employees.

Question 6

outsourcing

Answer 6

Getting other people or businesses to undertake work outside of the organisation that was originally done in house.

Question 7

part time workers

Answer 7

Someone who normally works for no more than 30 hours per week.

Question 8

flexible hours

Answer 8

Where an employee will work a set number of hours over a particular time period.

Question 9

home working

Answer 9

Employees who undertake their regular work from home.

Question 10

temporary staff

Answer 10

Someone who works for a limited period of time.

Question 11

zero hour contract

Answer 11

A contract that does not guarantee any particular hours of work.

Question 12

dismissal

Answer 12

When an employee’s contract is terminated due to a breach of the contract terms by the employee.

Question 13

redundancy

Answer 13

A form of dismissal when an employee’s contract is terminated because the job no longer exists.

Question 14

industrial dispute

Answer 14

A disagreement between an employer and its employees over working conditions.

Question 15

trade union

Answer 15

National organisations with a remit to protect its members and improve their economic and working conditions.

Question 16

work council

Answer 16

A group made up of managers and representative employees who meet regularly to discuss issues relating to the business and specifically issues affecting the workforce.

Question 17

collective bargaining

Answer 17

A process of negotiation between employers and a group of employees aimed at reaching agreements to regulate working conditions.

Question 18

recruitment

Answer 18

The steps undertaken by a business to identify a vacancy and attract suitable candidates; this can be internal or external.

Question 19

internal recruitment

Answer 19

Employees recruited from inside the organisation.

Question 20

external recruitment

Answer 20

Employees recruited from outside the organisation.

Question 21

job description

Answer 21

A detailed statement of the nature of the job, identifying the precise task and responsibilities involved.

Question 22

person specification

Answer 22

A statement or listing of the characteristics required to do a job successfully; describes the person.

Question 23

assessment centre

Answer 23

Where a group of candidates are invited for a day for an in-depth assessment. They will be observed performing a range of tasks including role-play, teamwork, etc. to test their skills.

Question 24

training

Answer 24

The process of equipping employees with the skills and knowledge necessary to carry out their job effectively.

Question 25

induction training

Answer 25

Training provided for employees new to an organisation at the start of their employment.

Question 26

on the job training

Answer 26

Training to improve an employee’s performance that takes place within the workplace.

Question 27

off the job training

Answer 27

Training to improve an employee’s performance that takes place away from the workplace.

Question 28

organisational structure

Answer 28

The way in which a workforce within an organisation is organised including job roles and communication flows.

Question 29

levels of hierarchy

Answer 29

The number of layers of employees within an organisational structure.

Question 30

span of control

Answer 30

The number of employees a manager is directly in charge of.

Question 31

authority

Answer 31

The power over other personnel within the organisation which is delegated formally.

Question 32

delegation

Answer 32

The passing of authority down the hierarchy.

Question 33

decentralisation

Answer 33

An organisational structure where authority is delegated further down the hierarchy, away from the centre.

Question 34

motivation

Answer 34

The factors that inspire an employee to achieve certain goals and complete tasks.

Question 35

piecework

Answer 35

Employees paid per item produced in a certain time period.

Question 36

share ownership

Answer 36

Common incentive for senior managers who are given shares in a company rather than a bonus.

Question 37

profit sharing

Answer 37

A system whereby employees receive a proportion of the company’s profits.

Question 38

performance related pay

Answer 38

Performance Related Pay

Paid to those employees who meet certain targets.

Question 39

consultation

Answer 39

Listening to the views of employees before making key decisions about them.

Question 40

job design

Answer 40

The way in which jobs are arranged in the workplace in order to reduce boredom and job dissatisfaction.

Question 41

job rotation

Answer 41

Where employees move around jobs of the same level but get variety.

Question 42

job enrichment

Answer 42

Increasing the depth of the job by increasing the amount of authority for decision making

Question 43

job enlargement

Answer 43

The process of increasing the number of responsibilities that an employee has.

Question 44

job empowerment

Answer 44

The delegation of responsibilities to employees, allowing them to make decisions and give greater control over their work activities.

Question 45

teamwork

Answer 45

When employees are organised into teams and work together to meet objectives.

Question 46

leadership

Answer 46

The ability to influence and direct people in order to achieve goals.

Question 47

autocratic

Answer 47

A leadership style where all decisions are made by the manager without consultation.

Question 48

paternalistic

Answer 48

A leadership style where the leader acts in a fatherly way towards the workforce, taking into account their welfare and personal needs.

Question 49

democratic

Answer 49

The leader consults the workforce but makes the final decision.

Question 50

laissez faire

Answer 50

A leadership style where the leader allows the team to make decisions.